Spoken Word

Anne Elvey talks to Di Cousens about her new book of eco-poetics, Leaf.

berni m janssen, a text artist, performer, Creative Director, and facilitator, works solo and with artists (musicians, performers, writers, composers, visual artists) from diverse communities to make art for over 40 years. She has been an artsworker, artist in residence, workshop facilitator, mentor. Her work appears in books, anthologies, magazines and online. She lives in Dja Dja Wurrung Country in the Central Highlands of Victoria. Her book, ENA (Hullick Studios, 2022), is a text art book that draws on the traditions of poetry and ‘spoken word’ art forms. The text is narrated by the character, ENA, who is a feminist looking back on her life as a young activist and then contemplating her position in the world as an older creative thinker. The book is available for purchase here: https://hullickstudios.com/product/ena-berni-m-janssen-book/Her book, between wind and water (Spinifex Press, 2018), is a series of poems that tell the stories of people who, after a windfarm is built in their neighbourhood, find that they begin to experience problems, including sleep disruption, headaches, nausea, anxiety. These poems tell of their experience and of their trying to make sense of what is happening. The book is available for purchase here: https://www.spinifexpress.com.au/shop/p/9781925581591 Photo: Vicki JonesProduced & Presented by Tina Giannoukos

Today’s show is a recording of a live reading by beloved poet, legendary convenor and photographer Michael Reynolds. In this recording, he is performing at the Cherry Poets in Cremorne on the 13th of January 2024. This recording includes a reading of "Snake" by DH Lawrence

This is the second interview with Australian poet of Palestinian, Lebanese and Egyptian heritage, Sara M. Saleh, about her new book, The Flirtation of Girls. She reflects on her experience in the Palestinian diaspora and on current events and 'brings the politics of the occupied homelands into sharp, unapologetic focus'.

The Flirtation of Girls is the first full length poetry collection by Australian poet, Sara M. Saleh. She brings to her poetry the experience of her Palestinian, Egyption and Lebanese heritage, with much that, to quote the back cover, "brings the politics of occupied homelands into sharp, unapologetic focus".

Amelia Walker is a poet who lives and works on Kaurna Yerta, also known as Adelaide, South Australia. She has published four poetry collections and three books of poetry writing activities for educational and community settings, based on her extensive work as a poet in schools and with arts-health projects. Alogopoiesis (Gazebo Books, 2023) is her fifth poetry collection. She lectures in courses on writing and literary studies at the University of South Australia. Amelia Walker's poetry collection, Alogopoiesis, can be purchased here: https://gazebobooks.com.au/product/alogopoiesis/  Production and Interview: Tina Giannoukos

Carolyn (Caz) Masel's new book is entitled, Singing In Each Cell. Caz talks to Di about writing the poems and reads from the book. Photo: Di Cousens

In this episode of Spoken Word, Nikki Viveca performs her poem, "Welcome to Womanhood" (aka the "Thou shalt..." poem!) and chats about her art and memories in Melbourne, before heading up to Sydney to perform at the famous Griffin Theatre. We also hear her collaborative work with musicians Meta Cohen, Coady Green, and the Divisi Chamber Singers.

Christos N. Fifis was born in Greece in 1940. He migrated to Australia in 1965. He studied Economics and History at La Trobe University in Melbourne and Modern Greek Literature at the universities of New England (Armidale) and Melbourne. He was a member of the founding staff of the Interpreter and Translator Program at RMIT and VICTORIA COLLEGE, Melbourne between 1975 and 1986. In 1987, he was appointed Assistant Professor of Young Greek and the first Director of the Greek Studies Program at La Trobe University. He retired from teaching in 2007. He remains an Honorary Research Associate of La Trobe University. Alongside his research work, he has published in Greek collections of poetry, short stories and a play.His short story collection, Greek-Australian Stories (Ελληνοαυστραλιανά διηγήματα), can be purchased from his Greek publisher here: https://www.sizacharopoulos.gr/product/500/ellinoaystraliana-diigimata.htmlHis play, Vasilo's House (Το σπίτι της Βασίλως), can be purchased from his Greek publisher here:https://www.sizacharopoulos.gr/product/142/to-spiti-tis-basilws.html  Production and Interview: Tina Giannoukos